When it comes to innovation, China is always a few steps ahead of the rest. To cater to its massive population, engineers in China came up with the bizarre, yet effective Transit Elevated Bus (TEB), which as its name suggests rides by straddling traffic. What’s more, the developers have recently unveiled a full-scale functional prototype of the ingenious traffic-straddling public transport.

Measuring around 22 meters (or 72.2 ft) in length, approximately 7.8 meters (25.3 ft) in width and 4.8 meters (or 15.8 ft) tall, the giant bus is designed to allow several cars and other vehicles less than 2 meters (about 6.6 ft) in height to drive underneath it. According to the engineers, it can accommodate up to 300 passengers.

During its recent test run, the TEB was found to move very slowly along a specially-built 300 meter demo track. But, that doesn’t come as a surprise, given the vehicle’s gargantuan size. The developers, however, were quick to point out that it was more a proof of concept rather than an actual trial. Speaking about the project, the team’s lead engineer Song You Zhou said that the traffic-straddling bus will likely be available commercially within the next 18 months.

The Transit Elevated Bus is envisioned as a cost-effective solution to the burgeoning traffic congestion problems in the country, while also reducing pollution caused by internal combustion engines. At its full size, it can carry several hundred passengers without disrupting the traffic already on the roads.

To know more about the Transit Elevated Bus concept, watch the following video: